Generating electricity
is a miracle of modern technology. Acting more or less like a force field,
electric current is comprised of minuscule protons and electrons that
become charged when induced by friction or chemical changes. Most power
plants burn fuel - coal, oil, natural gas, biomass - which creates steam
to drive a turbine that generates electricity. Sometimes nuclear or solar
energy creates the steam to drive the turbine. Other technologies - such
as solar photovoltaics or fuel cells - rely upon chemical reactions to
generate electricity.